[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 22, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H6597-H6601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    NIST REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2014

  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5035) to reauthorize the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5035

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``NIST Reauthorization Act of 
     2014''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2014.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $850,000,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2014.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $651,000,000 shall be for scientific and technical 
     research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $56,000,000 shall be for the construction and 
     maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $143,000,000 shall be for industrial technology 
     services activities, of which $128,000,000 shall be for the 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under sections 25 
     and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l).
       (b) Fiscal Year 2015.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $855,800,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2015.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $670,500,000 shall be for scientific and technical 
     research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $55,300,000 shall be for the construction and 
     maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $130,000,000 shall be for industrial technology 
     services activities, of which $130,000,000 shall be for the 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under sections 25 
     and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l).

     SEC. 3. STANDARDS AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT.

       Section 2 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``authorized to take'' and inserting ``authorized to serve as 
     the President's principal adviser on standards policy 
     pertaining to the Nation's technological competitiveness and 
     innovation ability and to take'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``compare standards'' and 
     all that follows through ``Federal Government'' and inserting 
     ``facilitate standards-related information sharing and 
     cooperation between Federal agencies''; and
       (C) in paragraph (13), by striking ``Federal, State, and 
     local'' and all that follows through ``private sector'' and 
     inserting ``technical standards activities and conformity 
     assessment activities of Federal, State, and local 
     governments with private sector''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (21), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (24); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (21) the following:
       ``(22) participate in and support scientific and technical 
     conferences;
       ``(23) perform pre-competitive measurement science and 
     technology research in partnership with institutions of 
     higher education and industry to promote United States 
     industrial competitiveness; and''.

     SEC. 4. VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

       Section 10 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``15 members'' and inserting ``not fewer 
     than 11 members'';
       (B) by striking ``at least 10'' and inserting ``at least 
     two-thirds''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following: ``The Committee may 
     consult with the National Research Council in making 
     recommendations regarding general policy for the 
     Institute.''; and
       (2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``, including the 
     Program established under section 28,''.

     SEC. 5. POLICE AND SECURITY AUTHORITY.

       Section 15 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278e) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``of the Government; and'' and inserting 
     ``of the Government;''; and
       (2) by striking ``United States Code.'' and inserting 
     ``United States Code; and (i) for the protection of Institute 
     buildings and other plant facilities, equipment, and 
     property, and of employees, associates, visitors, or other 
     persons located therein or associated therewith, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law.''.

     SEC. 6. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

       The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
     U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking sections 18, 19, 
     and 19A and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director may support, promote, and 
     coordinate activities and efforts to enhance public awareness 
     and understanding of measurement sciences, standards, and 
     technology by the general public, industry, and academia in 
     support of the Institute's mission.
       ``(b) Research Fellowships.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director may award research 
     fellowships and other forms of financial and logistical 
     assistance, including direct stipend awards, to--
       ``(A) students at institutions of higher education within 
     the United States who show promise as present or future 
     contributors to the mission of the Institute; and
       ``(B) United States citizens for research and technical 
     activities of the Institute.
       ``(2) Selection.--The Director shall select persons to 
     receive such fellowships and assistance on the basis of 
     ability and of the relevance of the proposed work to the 
     mission and programs of the Institute.
       ``(3) Definition.--For the purposes of this subsection, 
     financial and logistical assistance includes, notwithstanding 
     section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, or any contrary 
     provision of law, temporary housing and local transportation 
     to and from the Institute facilities.
       ``(c) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program.--The Director shall 
     establish and conduct a post-doctoral fellowship program, 
     subject to the availability of appropriations, that shall 
     include not fewer than 20 fellows per fiscal year. In 
     evaluating applications for fellowships under this 
     subsection, the Director shall give consideration to the goal 
     of promoting the participation of underrepresented students 
     in research areas supported by the Institute.''.

     SEC. 7. PROGRAMMATIC PLANNING REPORT.

       Section 23(d) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278i(d)) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following: ``The 3-year programmatic planning 
     document shall also describe how the Director is addressing 
     recommendations from the Visiting Committee on Advanced 
     Technology established under section 10.''.

     SEC. 8. ASSESSMENTS BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.

       (a) National Academy of Sciences Review.--Not later than 6 
     months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall 
     enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences 
     to conduct a single, comprehensive review of the Institute's 
     laboratory programs. The review shall--
       (1) assess the technical merits and scientific caliber of 
     the research conducted at the laboratories;
       (2) examine the strengths and weaknesses of the 2010 
     laboratory reorganization on the Institute's ability to 
     fulfill its mission;
       (3) evaluate how cross-cutting research and development 
     activities are planned, coordinated, and executed across the 
     laboratories; and
       (4) assess how the laboratories are engaging industry, 
     including the incorporation of industry need, into the 
     research goals and objectives of the Institute.
       (b) Additional Assessments.--Section 24 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278j) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 24. ASSESSMENTS BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.

       ``(a) In General.--The Institute shall contract with the 
     National Research Council to perform and report on 
     assessments of the technical quality and impact of the work 
     conducted at Institute laboratories.
       ``(b) Schedule.--Two laboratories shall be assessed under 
     subsection (a) each year, and each laboratory shall be 
     assessed at least once every 3 years.
       ``(c) Summary Report.--Beginning in the year after the 
     first assessment is conducted under subsection (a), and once 
     every two years thereafter, the Institute shall contract with 
     the National Research Council to prepare a report that 
     summarizes the findings common across the individual 
     assessment reports.
       ``(d) Additional Assessments.--The Institute, at the 
     discretion of the Director, also may contract with the 
     National Research Council to conduct additional assessments 
     of Institute programs and projects that involve collaboration 
     across the Institute laboratories and centers and assessments 
     of selected scientific and technical topics.
       ``(e) Consultation With Visiting Committee on Advanced 
     Technology.--The National Research Council may consult with 
     the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology established 
     under section 10 in performing the assessments under this 
     section.
       ``(f) Reports.--Not later than 30 days after the completion 
     of each assessment, the Institute shall transmit the report 
     on such assessment to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.''.

     SEC. 9. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

       Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended to read as 
     follows:

[[Page H6598]]

     ``SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

       ``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, through the Director and, 
     if appropriate, through other officials, shall provide 
     assistance for the creation and support of manufacturing 
     extension centers, to be known as the `Hollings Manufacturing 
     Extension Centers', for the transfer of manufacturing 
     technology and best business practices (in this Act referred 
     to as the `Centers'). The program under this section shall be 
     known as the `Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership'.
       ``(2) Affiliations.--Such Centers shall be affiliated with 
     any United States-based public or nonprofit institution or 
     organization, or group thereof, that applies for and is 
     awarded financial assistance under this section.
       ``(3) Objective.--The objective of the Centers is to 
     enhance competitiveness, productivity, and technological 
     performance in United States manufacturing through--
       ``(A) the transfer of manufacturing technology and 
     techniques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through 
     them, to manufacturing companies throughout the United 
     States;
       ``(B) the participation of individuals from industry, 
     institutions of higher education, State governments, other 
     Federal agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in 
     cooperative technology transfer activities;
       ``(C) efforts to make new manufacturing technology and 
     processes usable by United States-based small and medium-
     sized companies;
       ``(D) the active dissemination of scientific, engineering, 
     technical, and management information about manufacturing to 
     industrial firms, including small and medium-sized 
     manufacturing companies;
       ``(E) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise 
     and capability that exists in Federal laboratories other than 
     the Institute;
       ``(F) the provision to community colleges and area career 
     and technical education schools of information about the job 
     skills needed in small and medium-sized manufacturing 
     businesses in the regions they serve; and
       ``(G) promoting and expanding certification systems offered 
     through industry, associations, and local colleges, when 
     appropriate.
       ``(b) Activities.--The activities of the Centers shall 
     include--
       ``(1) the establishment of automated manufacturing systems 
     and other advanced production technologies, based on 
     Institute-supported research, for the purpose of 
     demonstrations and technology transfer;
       ``(2) the active transfer and dissemination of research 
     findings and Center expertise to a wide range of companies 
     and enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized 
     manufacturers; and
       ``(3) the facilitation of collaborations and partnerships 
     between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies and 
     community colleges and area career and technical education 
     schools to help such colleges and schools better understand 
     the specific needs of manufacturers and to help manufacturers 
     better understand the skill sets that students learn in the 
     programs offered by such colleges and schools.
       ``(c) Operations.--
       ``(1) Financial support.--The Secretary may provide 
     financial support to any Center created under subsection (a). 
     The Secretary may not provide to a Center more than 50 
     percent of the capital and annual operating and maintenance 
     funds required to create and maintain such Center.
       ``(2) Regulations.--The Secretary shall implement, review, 
     and update the sections of the Code of Federal Regulations 
     related to this section at least once every 3 years.
       ``(3) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any nonprofit institution, or consortium 
     thereof, or State or local government, may submit to the 
     Secretary an application for financial support under this 
     section, in accordance with the procedures established by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(B) Cost sharing.--In order to receive assistance under 
     this section, an applicant for financial assistance under 
     subparagraph (A) shall provide adequate assurances that non-
     Federal assets obtained from the applicant and the 
     applicant's partnering organizations will be used as a 
     funding source to meet not less than 50 percent of the costs 
     incurred. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the costs 
     incurred means the costs incurred in connection with the 
     activities undertaken to improve the competitiveness, 
     management, productivity, and technological performance of 
     small and medium-sized manufacturing companies.
       ``(C) Agreements with other entities.--In meeting the 50 
     percent requirement, it is anticipated that a Center will 
     enter into agreements with other entities such as private 
     industry, institutions of higher education, and State 
     governments to accomplish programmatic objectives and access 
     new and existing resources that will further the impact of 
     the Federal investment made on behalf of small and medium-
     sized manufacturing companies.
       ``(D) Legal rights.--Each applicant under subparagraph (A) 
     shall also submit a proposal for the allocation of the legal 
     rights associated with any invention which may result from 
     the proposed Center's activities.
       ``(4) Merit review.--The Secretary shall subject each such 
     application to merit review. In making a decision whether to 
     approve such application and provide financial support under 
     this section, the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, the 
     following:
       ``(A) The merits of the application, particularly those 
     portions of the application regarding technology transfer, 
     training and education, and adaptation of manufacturing 
     technologies to the needs of particular industrial sectors.
       ``(B) The quality of service to be provided.
       ``(C) Geographical diversity and extent of service area.
       ``(D) The percentage of funding and amount of in-kind 
     commitment from other sources.
       ``(5) Evaluation.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each Center that receives financial 
     assistance under this section shall be evaluated during its 
     third year of operation by an evaluation panel appointed by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(B) Composition.--Each such evaluation panel shall be 
     composed of private experts, none of whom shall be connected 
     with the involved Center, and Federal officials.
       ``(C) Chair.--An official of the Institute shall chair the 
     panel.
       ``(D) Performance measurement.--Each evaluation panel shall 
     measure the involved Center's performance against the 
     objectives specified in this section.
       ``(E) Positive evaluation.--If the evaluation is positive, 
     the Secretary may provide continued funding through the sixth 
     year.
       ``(F) Probation.--The Secretary shall not provide funding 
     unless the Center has received a positive evaluation. A 
     Center that has not received a positive evaluation by the 
     evaluation panel shall be notified by the panel of the 
     deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on 
     probation for one year, after which time the panel shall 
     reevaluate the Center. If the Center has not addressed the 
     deficiencies identified by the panel, or shown a significant 
     improvement in its performance, the Director shall conduct a 
     new competition to select an operator for the Center or may 
     close the Center.
       ``(G) Additional financial support.--After the sixth year, 
     a Center may receive additional financial support under this 
     section if it has received a positive evaluation through an 
     independent review, under procedures established by the 
     Institute.
       ``(H) Eight-year review.--A Center shall undergo an 
     independent review in the 8th year of operation. Each 
     evaluation panel shall measure the Center's performance 
     against the objectives specified in this section. A Center 
     that has not received a positive evaluation as a result of an 
     independent review shall be notified by the Program of the 
     deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on 
     probation for one year, after which time the Program shall 
     reevaluate the Center. If the Center has not addressed the 
     deficiencies identified by the review, or shown a significant 
     improvement in its performance, the Director shall conduct a 
     new competition to select an operator for the Center or may 
     close the Center.
       ``(I) Recompetition.--If a recipient of a Center award has 
     received financial assistance for 10 consecutive years, the 
     Director shall conduct a new competition to select an 
     operator for the Center consistent with the plan required in 
     this Act. Incumbent Center operators in good standing shall 
     be eligible to compete for the new award.
       ``(J) Reports.--
       ``(i) Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of the NIST Reauthorization Act of 2014, the 
     Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a plan as to how the Institute will conduct reviews, 
     assessments, and reapplication competitions under this 
     paragraph.
       ``(ii) Independent assessment.--The Director shall contract 
     with an independent organization to perform an assessment of 
     the implementation of the reapplication competition process 
     under this paragraph within 3 years after the transmittal of 
     the report under clause (i). The organization conducting the 
     assessment under this clause may consult with the MEP 
     Advisory Board.
       ``(iii) Comparison of centers.--Not later than 2 years 
     after the date of enactment of the NIST Reauthorization Act 
     of 2014, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report providing information 
     on the first and second years of operations for centers 
     operating from new competitions or recompetition as compared 
     to longstanding centers. The report shall provide detail on 
     the engagement in services provided by Centers and the 
     characteristics of services provided, including volume and 
     type of services, so that the Committees can evaluate whether 
     the cost-sharing ratio has an effect on the services provided 
     at Centers.
       ``(6) Patent rights.--The provisions of chapter 18 of title 
     35, United States Code, shall apply, to the extent not 
     inconsistent with this section, to the promotion of 
     technology from research by Centers under this section except 
     for contracts for such specific technology extension or 
     transfer services as may be specified by statute or by the 
     Director.
       ``(7) Protection of center client confidential 
     information.--Section 552 of title 5, United States Code, 
     shall apply to the following information obtained by the 
     Federal

[[Page H6599]]

     Government on a confidential basis in connection with the 
     activities of any participant involved in the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership:
       ``(A) Information on the business operation of any 
     participant in a Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
     program or of a client of a Center.
       ``(B) Trade secrets possessed by any client of a Center.
       ``(8) Advisory boards.--Each Center's advisory boards shall 
     institute a conflict of interest policy, approved by the 
     Director, that ensures the Board represents local small and 
     medium-sized manufacturers in the Center's region. Board 
     Members may not serve as a vendor or provide services to the 
     Center, nor may they serve on more than one Center's 
     oversight board simultaneously.
       ``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--In addition to such sums as may be 
     appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the 
     Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Secretary 
     and Director also may accept funds from other Federal 
     departments and agencies and, under section 2(c)(7), from the 
     private sector for the purpose of strengthening United States 
     manufacturing.
       ``(2) Allocation of funds.--
       ``(A) Funds accepted from other federal departments or 
     agencies.--The Director shall determine whether funds 
     accepted from other Federal departments or agencies shall be 
     counted in the calculation of the Federal share of capital 
     and annual operating and maintenance costs under subsection 
     (c).
       ``(B) Funds accepted from the private sector.--Funds 
     accepted from the private sector under section 2(c)(7), if 
     allocated to a Center, may not be considered in the 
     calculation of the Federal share under subsection (c) of this 
     section.
       ``(e) MEP Advisory Board.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory 
     Board (in this subsection referred to as the `MEP Advisory 
     Board').
       ``(2) Membership.--
       ``(A) In general.--The MEP Advisory Board shall consist of 
     not fewer than 10 members broadly representative of 
     stakeholders, to be appointed by the Director. At least 2 
     members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the 
     Centers, at least 1 member shall represent a community 
     college, and at least 5 other members shall be from United 
     States small businesses in the manufacturing sector. No 
     member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.
       ``(B) Term.--Except as provided in subparagraph (C) or (D), 
     the term of office of each member of the MEP Advisory Board 
     shall be 3 years.
       ``(C) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
     occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his 
     predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the 
     remainder of such term.
       ``(D) Serving consecutive terms.--Any person who has 
     completed two consecutive full terms of service on the MEP 
     Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible for appointment 
     during the one-year period following the expiration of the 
     second such term.
       ``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall meet not less 
     than 2 times annually and shall provide to the Director--
       ``(A) advice on Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership programs, plans, and policies;
       ``(B) assessments of the soundness of Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership plans and strategies; and
       ``(C) assessments of current performance against Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership program plans.
       ``(4) Federal advisory committee act applicability.--
       ``(A) In general.--In discharging its duties under this 
     subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function solely in 
     an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act.
       ``(B) Exception.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act shall not apply to the MEP Advisory Board.
       ``(5) Report.--The MEP Advisory Board shall transmit an 
     annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress 
     within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the 
     President's annual budget request in each year. Such report 
     shall address the status of the program established pursuant 
     to this section and comment on the relevant sections of the 
     programmatic planning document and updates thereto 
     transmitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c) 
     and (d) of section 23.
       ``(f) Competitive Grant Program.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish, within 
     the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, under this 
     section and section 26, a program of competitive awards among 
     participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes 
     described in paragraph (3).
       ``(2) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under 
     this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such 
     Centers.
       ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
     subsection is to add capabilities to the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership, including the 
     development of projects to solve new or emerging 
     manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Hollings Manufacturing 
     Extension Partnership program, the MEP Advisory Board, and 
     small and medium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for 
     the competition may be identified, which may vary from year 
     to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the 
     success of previous competitions. Centers may be reimbursed 
     for costs incurred under the program.
       ``(4) Applications.--Applications for awards under this 
     subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, 
     and containing such information as the Director shall 
     require, in consultation with the MEP Advisory Board.
       ``(5) Selection.--Awards under this subsection shall be 
     peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall 
     endeavor to have broad geographic diversity among selected 
     proposals. The Director shall select proposals to receive 
     awards that will--
       ``(A) improve the competitiveness of industries in the 
     region in which the Center or Centers are located;
       ``(B) create jobs or train newly hired employees; and
       ``(C) promote the transfer and commercialization of 
     research and technology from institutions of higher 
     education, national laboratories, and nonprofit research 
     institutes.
       ``(6) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards under 
     this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching 
     contribution.
       ``(7) Global marketplace projects.--In making awards under 
     this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the MEP 
     Advisory Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration 
     whether an application has significant potential for 
     enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized 
     United States manufacturers in the global marketplace.
       ``(8) Duration.--Awards under this subsection shall last no 
     longer than 3 years.
       ``(g) Evaluation of Obstacles Unique to Small 
     Manufacturers.--The Director shall--
       ``(1) evaluate obstacles that are unique to small 
     manufacturers that prevent such manufacturers from 
     effectively competing in the global market;
       ``(2) implement a comprehensive plan to train the Centers 
     to address such obstacles; and
       ``(3) facilitate improved communication between the Centers 
     to assist such manufacturers in implementing appropriate, 
     targeted solutions to such obstacles.
       ``(h) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `area career and technical education school' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D. 
     Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 
     2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302); and
       ``(2) the term `community college' means an institution of 
     higher education (as defined under section 101(a) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) at which 
     the highest degree that is predominately awarded to students 
     is an associate's degree.''.

     SEC. 10. ELIMINATION OF OBSOLETE REPORTS.

       (a) Enterprise Integration Standardization and 
     Implementation Activities Report.--Section 3 of the 
     Enterprise Integration Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 278g-5) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (c); and
       (2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively.
       (b) TIP Reports.--Section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (g); and
       (2) in subsection (k), by striking paragraph (5).

     SEC. 11. MODIFICATIONS TO GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.

       Section 8(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended by striking ``The 
     total amount of any such grant or cooperative agreement may 
     not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the program.''.

     SEC. 12. INFORMATION SYSTEMS STANDARDS CONSULTATION.

       Section 20(c)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3(c)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``the National Security Agency,''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Bucshon) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 5035, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, I 
would like to thank the full committee chairman, Mr. Smith, the full 
committee ranking member, Ms. Johnson, and the subcommittee ranking 
member, Mr. Lipinski, for their bipartisan work on this bill.

[[Page H6600]]

  This bill reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, also known as NIST. Whether contributing to the technology 
of the smoke detector or developing X-ray standards for mammograms, 
NIST has had a substantial impact on our Nation's scientific and 
technological developments, industry, and economy for over 100 years.
  H.R. 5035 authorizes $850 million for NIST in fiscal year 2014 and 
$855.8 million in fiscal year 2015. This bill implements changes and 
updates to ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds during tight fiscal 
times, while still maintaining a competitive edge in the United States.
  H.R. 5035 adds language to emphasize NIST's role in advancing our 
Nation's technological competitiveness and innovation ability, and 
enables more information sharing related to technological standards. 
Additionally, this legislation codifies NIST's outreach and education 
efforts.
  Another critical program in this legislation is the Hollings 
Manufacturing Partnership, or MEP. This program provides assistance to 
small, U.S.-based manufacturing companies to help identify and adopt 
new technologies and manufacturing techniques.
  This bill answers a need expressed by the manufacturing community and 
changes the existing cost share structure within the MEP program so 
that a 1-1 ratio of Federal and matching funds is held throughout the 
life of the center.
  The bill also includes language to ensure centers are reevaluated and 
face a new competition every 10 years.
  In my State of Indiana, Purdue University serves as the MEP of our 
region. Clabber Girl, a small business I visited in the Eighth District 
of Indiana, is a prime example of the important impact MEPs have on our 
economy. This manufacturer of baking powder, baking soda, and 
cornstarch has utilized Purdue University's Technical Assistance 
Program, which has assisted over 12,000 organizations and trained over 
26,000 employees since 1986.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, as NIST is an 
agency critical to the advancement of the United States technology and 
scientific industries.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5035, legislation that would 
reauthorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology, also 
known as NIST.
  NIST, founded in 1901, is a nonregulatory Federal agency within the 
Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote U.S. innovation and 
competitiveness by advancing measurement science.
  H.R. 5035 makes important changes and updates to NIST programs, 
including the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, or MEP, program. MEP 
centers work with small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers and help 
them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save money.
  In my district, the 15th Congressional District of California, the 
California MEP center helped Plastikon, a plastic and contract 
manufacturing company that provides service to medical, automotive, and 
electronics industries, revisit its business model after one of its 
largest customers shut down. The MEP center supported market research, 
strategic planning and training, and lean manufacturing for Plastikon. 
The project increased the company sales by 20 percent.
  The MEP program has proven to be a very successful public-private 
partnership for districts across the country. For every dollar of 
investment, the MEP program generates almost $19 in new sales and $21 
in new client investment. This totals more than $2 billion in new sales 
every year.
  H.R. 5035 helps ensure that the MEP program will continue partnering 
with the full range of small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies, 
helping them to innovate and create jobs here in America.
  I was pleased that when this bill was considered as a section of the 
FIRST Act in the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we 
worked in a bipartisan manner to make improvements to it. That section, 
as improved, is what we are considering today as a stand-alone bill. I 
appreciate the majority working with us in this new way.
  Although I support the important policy provisions contained in this 
bill, I am also a little disappointed by the low authorization level. 
NIST is the one of our Nation's most important, yet least known, 
agencies. Because of its unrivaled expertise in measurement science, 
its unique research facilities, and its strong industry partnerships, 
NIST has been asked by Congress and by one administration after another 
to take on leadership roles in a number of crosscutting Federal 
efforts, from cybersecurity to advanced manufacturing.
  To adequately support their mission and work in these critical areas, 
the authorization level for NIST should be closer to the President's 
fiscal year 2015 budget request and the Senate Commerce, Justice, 
Science Appropriations fiscal year 2015 bill. My hope is that when this 
bill goes to conference with the Senate we can work on a higher 
authorization level for NIST.
  That said, H.R. 5035 is an important bill that contains sound policy 
provisions that were developed, again, on a bipartisan basis and that 
will help ensure NIST's ability to promote U.S. innovation and 
competitiveness.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 
5035, a bill to reauthorize the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology.
  I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson of 
the Science, Space, and Technology House Committee for their work in 
advancing innovation and technology that will keep America strong and 
competitive into the future.
  As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and 
former member of the House Committee on Science, where I served for 
many years, I am well acquainted with the important work done by the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
  NIST is the nation's premier entity for development of standards that 
govern the level of reliability, security, and operation of most 
products sold in the United States and around the world.
  Standards development is critical to our nation's leadership in many 
manufacturing areas. Businesses large and small look to NIST for 
leadership in coordinating the development of voluntary standards in a 
wide range of areas that include office equipment, manufacturing 
materials, and encryption.
  Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the 
U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. 
innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement 
science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic 
security and improve our quality of life.
  NIST carries out its mission through the following programs through 
research conducted at:
  NIST Laboratories that advance the nation's technology infrastructure 
and helps U.S. companies continually improve products and services;
  The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide 
network of local centers offering technical and business assistance to 
smaller manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs; and
  The Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which promote 
performance excellence among U.S. manufacturers, service companies, 
educational institutions, health care providers, and nonprofit 
organizations.
  Houston benefits from NIST's work in a wide range of areas.
  Houston is known as the ``Energy Capital of the World'' with almost 
half of its economic activity driven by the energy industry. Houston is 
home to 40 of the nation's 145 publicly traded oil and gas exploration 
and production firms, including 11 of the top 25 as ranked by 2011 
total assets.
  NIST's fossil fuel Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) continue to be 
in high demand by the petroleum industry and the fossil fuel-based 
electric utility industries.
  The fossil fuel SRM program is now 40 years old, and the current 
inventory of fossil fuel reference materials includes coals, cokes, 
residual fuel oils, distillates and gasolines.
  To support regulatory and industry requirements for reference 
materials and standards, NIST produces and maintains a large inventory 
of fossil fuel SRMs that are certified for crude oils, gasolines, fuel 
oils, and diesel fuels. The program is continually adapting to meet the 
rapidly changing needs of the energy sector.

[[Page H6601]]

  Houston's diverse workforce boasts a variety of skills and 
occupations. From medical professionals and engineers to production 
managers and accountants, Houston's labor force fills 2.7 million jobs 
and counting.
  Houston has a world class medical center that serves the health care 
needs of residents and brings to our city people from around the world 
for health care.
  NIST is responsible for leading the development of the core health IT 
testing infrastructure that will provide a scalable, multi-partner, 
automated, remote capability for current and future medical technology 
testing needs.
  The objective of the NIST Health IT Testing Infrastructure Project is 
to harmonize the efforts of healthcare standards test development and 
delivery to meet the demands for conformance and interoperability 
within the healthcare domain.
  NIST works in collaboration with health care providers, IT 
stakeholders such as vendors, implementers, standards organizations and 
certification bodies to establish a testing infrastructure that will:
  Provide a variety of testing services;
  Support a broad range of test environments;
  Support numerous health data standards;
  Provide a component-based user interface;
  Support changing user requirements;
  Leverage existing testing initiatives;
  Provide a method for feedback so that health standards can be 
improved; and
  Roll out tools and resources incrementally.
  Houston also hosts universities, research institutions and agencies 
that rely upon NIST's core areas of work including:
  Bioscience Health;
  Building and Fire Research;
  Chemistry;
  Electronics & Communications;
  Energy;
  Environment and Climate;
  Information Technology;
  Manufacturing;
  Mathematics;
  Nanotechnology;
  Neuro Research; and
  Physics.
  NIST's work touches the lives of every person in the United States 
from the smart electric power grid and electronic health records to 
atomic clocks, advanced nanomaterials, and computer chips, innumerable 
products and services rely in some way on the work of this small 
agency.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in support this reauthorization of 
NIST and that we work together to end the impact on Sequestration on 
NIST programs.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, 
Chairman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, Larry Bucshon, in 
support of the reauthorization of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology (NIST).
  Measurement science conducted at NIST contributes to industrial 
competitiveness by supporting the technical infrastructure for 
advancements in nanotechnology, global positioning systems, materials 
sciences, cybersecurity, health information technology, and a variety 
of other fields.
  Research conducted at NIST laboratories has been lauded by 
independent review panels as being among the best in the world. NIST 
researchers have been awarded four Nobel prizes in Physics in the last 
15 years.
  H.R. 5035 codifies education and outreach efforts at NIST and 
requires a comprehensive review of the NIST laboratory programs by the 
National Academy of Sciences.
  This bill authorizes just over $855 million dollars for NIST in 
Fiscal Year 2015, this funding level is consistent with the House 
passed Appropriations bill.
  NIST works alongside industry and is recognized as a provider of 
high-quality information utilized by the private sector. H.R. 5035 
reauthorizes the work of this important agency at responsible funding 
levels.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5035.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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